Chickenpox (varicella) is an illness that has become much less common in the U.S. due to the chickenpox vaccine. The infection and rash will go away without treatment, but because chickenpox is easily spread from person to another, a child infected with the virus should stay home until the rash is completely crusted over.

Signs and Symptoms

red bumps that look like pimples or insect bites

a small clear blister developing on top of the red bumps

similar sores in the mouth

dry crusted sores form over the blisters

an itchy rash that usually begins on the belly, back, or face and spreads to the arms and legs and elsewhere on the body